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Topic: Insulting Articles? (Read 2566 times)

So this article http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/home-living/27878/raze-the-roof was written in a subscription based magazine as part of their April Fools edition. I want to know if you guys agree with some that it is negative and insulting and should be removed. Or if you agree with others (like me) Who think its great PR and if taken ironically and sarcastically, it provides free advertising and outreach and may lead to visitors and donations.

Please also post any comments you wish.

Thanks!

-Nick

I should've added earlier my comments on the issue:

This is an excellent thing for us. Instead of looking at this in a negative light, this is actually one of the best ways of ADVERTISING the cathedral we could possibly get. Some facts:

1) It's free, we didn't have to pay for the ad2) People will read the article and see the address and picture and may be inclined to see the structure, e.g. visit, e.g. give us a donation3) There is truth in parts of the article4) The person who wrote this obviously did some research on the church to be able to dig up these facts5) If you look at it from a sarcastic point of view, it actually sheds a pretty nice light on the cathedral example: a) Tearing down an architecturally significant church is an excellent way to make room for more condos! (Sarcastically, the opposite would hold true) b) The plan, which could still face opposition from annoying historical landmark activists and the rest of the known universe, (Sarcastically, no one wants to see the structure torn down)6) The old saying probably applies here: Any publicity is good publicity.

Not because it was a church that was targeted, but I just didn't see the humor in it I guess (though I want to point out that I wasn't offended.) I do agree that it provides free advertising for the church, but not necessarily positive advertising per se because it's a Ukranian church in a neighborhood apparently called Ukranian Village. Nothing wrong with that, except that it plays to the concerns that the Orthodox Church is an ethnic church. So my point is, I doubt it will bring in too many visitors despite the free advertising. Just my opinion.

« Last Edit: April 01, 2008, 11:20:22 AM by GabrieltheCelt »

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Not because it was a church that was targeted, but I just didn't see the humor in it I guess (though I want to point out that I wasn't offended.) I do agree that it provides free advertising for the church, but not necessarily positive advertising per se because it's a Ukranian church in a neighborhood apparently called Ukranian Village. Nothing wrong with that, except that it plays to the concerns that the Orthodox Church is an ethnic church. So my point is, I doubt it will bring in too many visitors despite the free advertising. Just my opinion.

Thats a very good point, and I suppose that there is probably need of a little history of the area, that I should've posted earlier. Thanks for your post though!

The name "Ukrainian Village" was in place before the church was built. It was the settlement spot in Chicago for many Ukrainians who came over from Europe in the late 1800s and early 1900s. There are still many Ukrainian based churches and business and people living in the area. One of the largest being Sts Volodomyr and Olha which boasts a membership well over 1,000 souls. Holy Trinity in a sense could be considered a more ethnic parish because we are still getting an influx of Russian immigrants attending services and there is no doubt that there are 3 tables during coffee hour of Russian language. Maybe its not entirely accurate, but if its perceived, it can be a problem.

I thought it was funny. But then again I'm all for April Fool's articles in reputable papers.

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"O Cross of Christ, all-holy, thrice-blessed, and life-giving, instrument of the mystical rites of Zion, the holy Altar for the service of our Great Archpriest, the blessing - the weapon - the strength of priests, our pride, our consolation, the light in our hearts, our mind, and our steps"Met. Meletios of Nikopolis & Preveza, from his ordination.